Home Health Center
Bell's Palsy
Bell�s Palsy - Symptoms
Symptoms of Bell�s Palsy
The signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy usually make a sudden appearance, often overnight. Many patients get a cold shortly before Bell’s palsy signs begin. Some of the first signs you may notice are:
- Stiffness in the face, where you may not be able to talk properly
- Your face will be pulled to one side
- You may look different
In most cases, the symptoms only affect one side of the face. However, in some rare instances, the nerves on both sides of the face can be affected. Some of the other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:
- Difficulty in grimacing, smiling, whistling or making any facial expression
- Being unable to eat or drink; the food or liquid may fall out of one side of the mouth
- Loss of taste
- Weakness or twitching in the face muscles
- Drooping in some of the facial features, like the eyes and the corner of the mouth
- Headaches
- Finding it hard to close one eye
- Lack of control over the muscles in the face
- Dryness in the eyes and the mouth
- Hyperacusis (Sounds that seem louder in one ear)
It is important for you to seek medical attention as soon as you notice the symptoms of Bell’s palsy. Very often, people mistake Bell’s palsy for a mild stroke, since the symptoms for both the conditions are quite similar. However, Bell’s palsy affects only the face, not the other parts of the body, like the arms and legs. Therefore, if you notice stiffness or paralysis in your arms or legs, you may be suffering from a stroke.
Frequently asked questions